https://act.audubon.org/onlineactions/9oWtkwTcTEyKLYY6gkNMcQ2, https://forms.gle/38DPrxrq5t1MtDNF8

Audubon California, 1901 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA (2026)

08/22/2026

⚡️Will you vote for the Western Sandpiper or the California Brown Pelican in our latest California Bird of the Year match-up?⁣
⁣
For Ashley Seufzer & Jodi Pinder, our Working Lands Program Manager, Project Associate, the choice is clear: the WESTERN SANDPIPER❣️⁣
⁣
These tiny shorebirds complete astonishing migrations! They travel thousands of miles along the Pacific Flyway, stopping along the way to refuel on everything from tiny invertebrates to biofilm, a nutrient-rich “smoothie” found on mudflats.⁣
⁣
❤️‍🩹 How Audubon California supports Western Sandpipers:⁣
⁣
When you’re a bird making a cross-hemispheric journey, finding the right habitat at the right time is crucial for survival - that's where BirdReturns comes in. Through BirdReturns, we work alongside partners in coordination with wetland managers and farmers to create temporary shallow-water habitat when and where migratory birds need it most. Think of it as an Airbnb for birds: a place to stop, rest, and refuel before continuing their journey. Since its launch in 2014, the partnership has worked with over 200+ farmers and wetland managers to provide around 200K acres of habitat.⁣
⁣
🦀 We’re also studying what makes that habitat valuable for hungry shorebirds. BirdReturns invertebrate research examines how BirdReturns management practices influence food availability across seasons. The team studies 44 BirdReturns ponds in the Sacramento Valley, helping us better understand Central Valley food webs & guide future decisions about when and how habitat is created.⁣
⁣
🔭 And down south at the Salton Sea, we’re also working alongside partners to better understand how Western Sandpipers & other shorebirds are responding to a rapidly changing landscape. Our monitoring and research help track where birds are gathering and how newly emerging wetlands are becoming important habitat for enormous numbers of migrating shorebirds.⁣
⁣
Are you joining Team Western Sandpiper? 🗳️ Or will you be voting for the California Brown Pelican in this match-up?👇⁣
⁣
is made possible by The Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership, led by Audubon California, The Nature Conservancy in CA, & Point Blue

08/20/2026

Game 4 of the California Bird of the Year tournament is HERE! 🎉 Western Sandpiper vs. California Brown Pelican starts NOW and runs through August 25 at 11:59 PM PT.⁣
⁣
Both players are closely connected to Audubon’s conservation history and our work supporting these birds across California. Here are just some of our favorite highlights:⁣

WESTERN SANDPIPER 🐦⁣
⁣
✨ These tiny travelers migrate thousands of miles between wintering grounds as far south as Peru and breeding grounds in the Arctic, relying on a crucial network of wetlands and coastal habitats along the Pacific Flyway.
⁣
🌊At the Salton Sea, our monitoring and research, conducted alongside partners, have helped us understand how birds are responding to a rapidly changing landscape. During one 2023 survey, an estimated 250,000 shorebirds were counted in a single day, many of them believed to be Western Sandpipers. As newly emerging wetlands provide important places to rest and refuel, Western Sandpipers are among the shorebirds using the Sea in growing numbers.
⁣
🌾 In the Central Valley, Audubon California, alongside our partners, works to create and enhance shallow-water habitat through BirdReturns when migratory birds need it most. In 2025 alone, more than 48,000 acres of wetlands and farmlands were enrolled across California, supporting hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including the Western Sandpiper.
⁣
CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN 🌊⁣
⁣
✨ Audubon first sounded the alarm about the hazards of DDT in 1945 and later documented declines in birds linked to the pesticide. By 1970, DDT-driven reproductive failure had pushed the California Brown Pelican into such steep decline that it was federally listed as endangered.
⁣
🫶 In 1972, a campaign by Audubon and the Environmental Defense Fund helped secure a nationwide ban on DDT. Brown Pelicans made a remarkable recovery in the decades that followed and were removed from both the state and federal endangered species lists in 2009.
⁣
🔬 And the work continues! In 2025, a scientific paper using volunteer surveys coordinated by Audubon California and Bird Alliance of Oregon showed important patterns in Brown Pelican productivity, movement, and distribution across the West Coast.

Who has your vote 👇

08/18/2026

⚡️Will you vote for the Western Burrowing Owl or the Least Bell’s Vireo in this California Bird of the Year match-up?⁣
⁣
For our Audubon Conservation Ranching team, especially Payton Thomas, Rangeland Ecologist, and Grace Ferguson, Manager, Conservation Ranching Program, the choice is clear: the WESTERN BURROWING OWL❣️⁣
⁣
These adorable owls may appear quite tall in photos, but they’re small - about the size of a robin. 🥺 And their history with ranching isn’t new, cowboys once nicknamed them “Howdy Birds” because of the way they bob up and down near their burrows, almost as if they’re saying hello! 👋⁣
⁣
❤️‍🩹 How Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) in California can support Western Burrowing Owls: Grasslands and rangelands are important habitat for these charismatic owls.⁣
⁣
Through ACR, Audubon works with ranchers and partners to develop habitat management plans and use science-based grazing and land stewardship practices that support birds, biodiversity, healthy soils, and resilient grasslands. 🐄🌾⁣
⁣
And beyond ACR, Audubon California’s Kern River Preserve team is helping create more places for these little Howdy Birds to call home. At the 3,806-acre Hanning Flat Preserve in the Kern River Valley, artificial burrows designed by Audubon alongside our partners and installed by volunteers have already attracted individual owls and nesting pairs. 🐣⁣
⁣
So, are you joining Team Howdy Bird? 🦉🗳️ Or will you be voting for the Least Bell’s Vireo in this match-up?⁣
⁣

08/15/2026

⚡️Will you vote for the Least Bell’s Vireo or the Western Burrowing Owl in this California Bird of the Year match-up?⁣
⁣
For the Audubon Center at Debs Park team, the choice is clear: the LEAST BELL’S VIREO❣️⁣
⁣
Most Least Bell’s Vireos hatch in May, so it’s no surprise these tiny but feisty songbirds have some serious Ta**us energy. ♉️ Determined, protective, loyal? YES. ⁣
⁣
🐣When it comes to raising the next generation, Least Bell’s Vireos are determined and protective. In addition to defending their nests from predators, males and females share nesting duties, including incubating their eggs, and pairs will readily renest following an unsuccessful attempt.⁣
⁣
🌱Their loyalty to their favorite places makes protecting and restoring healthy riparian habitat especially important for these small but mighty birds. ⁣
⁣
❤️‍🩹How the Audubon Center at Debs Park team is supporting Least Bell’s Vireo recovery: Working alongside California State Parks and other amazing partners, the team has spent years restoring native riparian habitat at Rio de Los Angeles State Park along the Los Angeles River. ⁣
⁣
By planting and caring for native vegetation and creating the dense understory these endangered songbirds need, the partnership is helping support their return to this urban stretch of the river. 💚 Follow the Debs Park team to keep up with upcoming habitat restoration days and learn how you can get involved with volunteer opportunities that support our beloved Least Bell’s Vireo.⁣
⁣
🌌 Are the stars aligning for you to cast your vote for Team Least Bell’s Vireo? 🗳️ Or will you be voting for the Western Burrowing Owl in this match-up?⁣
⁣
Least Bell’s Vireo photos:⁣
1️⃣ Alecia Smith/Audubon CA⁣
2️⃣ Courtesy Debs Park staff

08/14/2026

Looking for an exciting opportunity to help support birds and communities in the Coachella and Imperial Valley? 💦🐦 We’re hiring for a Senior Salton Sea Program Manager. This important role will help lead Audubon California’s work at the Salton Sea, advancing habitat restoration, science, advocacy, community engagement, and partnerships. ⁣
⁣
If you bring 7+ years of related experience in science, advocacy, and/or natural resources management, experience leading programs and staff, and a collaborative approach to working with diverse partners and stakeholders, we’d love to hear from you! Experience with wetland habitats, water policy, and the Salton Sea region is preferred, and Spanish fluency is highly preferred.⁣
⁣
📍 This hybrid position is based in Palm Desert, California, and requires travel throughout the region and California. Salary: $85,600–$96,300/year. 👉 Apply today via the link in our comments.

08/13/2026

⚡️ Game 3 of the California Bird of the Year tournament is HERE! 🎉 Least Bell’s Vireo vs. Burrowing Owl starts now and runs through August 18 at 11:59 PM PT.⁣ ⁣
⁣
As we celebrate Audubon California’s 30th anniversary, eight incredible California birds continue facing off beak-to-beak for the title of California Bird of the Year. ⁣
⁣
All of the contenders are closely tied to our conservation history. Check out some of our favorite highlights from decades of progress:⁣
⁣
🐦Least Bell’s Vireos depend on dense riparian habitat to nest and raise their young. Along the Los Angeles River, our Audubon Center at Debs Park team and partners have spent years restoring native habitat near Rio de Los Angeles State Park. In recent years, that work has helped support the return of Least Bell’s Vireos to this urban stretch of the river. 🌿 ⁣
⁣
🐦 Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus): This small but mighty songbird is listed as endangered under both the federal Endangered Species Act and California Endangered Species Act. Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii), is considered Least Concern by the IUCN.) ⁣
⁣
⁣
🦉 Western Burrowing Owl: Unlike most owls, these charismatic little raptors make their homes underground in open grasslands and deserts. At Hanning Flat in the Kern River Valley, a 3,806-acre property permanently protected with partners, artificial burrows designed by Audubon and installed by volunteers have attracted individual Western Burrowing Owls and nesting pairs. 🐣⁣
⁣
The Western Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) is currently a candidate for listing under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).⁣
⁣
🫵 Now it’s up to YOU: Will you vote for the Least Bell’s Vireo or the Western Burrowing Owl?⁣
⁣
Cast your vote and tell us in the comments which bird you’re cheering for and why! 🗳️🐦

08/10/2026

⚡️Who gets your vote in this California Bird of the Year match-up?⁣
⁣
For the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary team, otherwise known as Team Weird Duck, the choice is clear: the SURF SCOTER! 🦆🌊⁣
⁣
The boldly patterned males may get most of the attention, but don’t overlook the females! On crowded breeding lakes, Surf Scoter ducklings sometimes switch from one brood to another. The ducklings feed themselves, while a female guards the group, even when some of the chicks aren’t her own. 🐣 ⁣
⁣
This summer, Team Weird Duck asked their summer camp counselors to draw a Surf Scoter using only the field guide description shown on Slide 2. Then Casey Skinner, Audubon California’s San Francisco Bay Program Director, ranked the drawings from most to least accurate.⁣
⁣
But we want to hear what you think! Swipe through to see all the Surf Scoter drawings, then tell us in the comments which one is your favorite.⁣
⁣
❤️‍🩹 How Audubon California supports Surf Scoters: ⁣
⁣
At Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary, our 900-acre sanctuary protects subtidal and eelgrass habitat where Pacific herring lay their eggs and wintering Surf Scoters gather to feast. 🐟To give these birds space to rest and feed, sanctuary waters are closed to boat traffic and in-water activities from October 1 through March 31. 🌱 Richardson Bay's eelgrass also helps improve water quality, stabilize shorelines, and build climate resilience.⁣
⁣
Are you joining Team Surf Scoter? 🗳️ Or will you be voting for the Snowy Plover in this match-up?⁣
⁣
🗓️ Surf Scoter vs. Snowy Plover voting is open through August 11 at 11:59 PM!⁣
⁣
Surf Scoter illustrations from slides 1 & 3 are all public domain from 100+ years ago via the Biodiversity Heritage Library!

08/07/2026

Good news! 🌊 This week, Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 136, commemorating 50 years of coastal protection in California, was approved! 🎉⁣
⁣
⁣For five decades, the California Coastal Act has protected coastal habitat that supports millions of birds along the Pacific Flyway, while also helping ensure the coast remains open for communities to access and connect with nature.⁣ The Coastal Act has resulted in:⁣
⁣
🌊 2,500+ public accessways established along the coast⁣
🌊 875 miles of the California Coastal Trail opened⁣
🌊 12,000 acres of habitat and open space protected⁣
🌊 4,600+ acres of habitat restored⁣
⁣
The success of the Coastal Act tells the incredible story of how a grassroots movement saved the California coastline from unchecked oil and gas companies, big corporations, and privatization. While these threats still exist today, the Coastal Act established critical protections to keep our coast healthy, resilient, and accessible for all.⁣
⁣
Audubon California has long supported the Coastal Act’s promise. This year, along with our partners, we’ve proudly supported state legislative resolution SCR 136 (introduced by Senator John Laird), to honor and celebrate 50 years of the Coastal Act.⁣
⁣ ⁣
As we look to the next 50 years of coastal stewardship, we’re celebrating the progress made to protect California’s coast and coastal waters while reflecting on why continued ocean protection is so crucial for communities and for the seabirds and shorebirds whose populations have declined by 70 percent since the 1950s and 1970s.⁣
⁣
Thank you, Senator John Laird, for leading the charge in the Senate to celebrate 50 years of coastal protection in California! ⁣

08/06/2026

Great news for grassland birds on California's Central Coast! 🐦 ⁣
⁣
TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation has earned Audubon Conservation Ranching's Bird-Friendly Land Certification. Located in San Mateo County, the ranch provides vital habitat for several grassland bird species, including the Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, White-tailed Kite, Northern Harrier, and Western Meadowlark. ⁣
⁣
TomKat Ranch joins Audubon's growing network of 18 certified bird-friendly ranches in California, spanning more than 260,000 acres. Nationwide, Audubon partners with more than 150 farms and ranches across 4.5 million acres, all committed to supporting grassland birds, biodiversity, and healthy working landscapes. ⁣
⁣
And a huge thanks to our monitoring partners Point Blue Conservation Science for their support. ⁣
⁣
Interested in learning more about Audubon Conservation Ranching? 👉 Click the link in our comments section to read the full story! 🐮⁣
⁣
⁣
Photos: ⁣
1️⃣ Cattle 📷 Bill Milliot/TomKat Ranch⁣
2️⃣ Northern Harrier 📷 Gary Zahm/Audubon Photography Awards⁣
3️⃣ Grasshopper Sparrow 📷 Brady Karg/Audubon⁣
4️⃣ Cattle 📷 Bill Milliot/TomKat Ranch⁣
5️⃣ White-tailed Kite 📷 Susan Perez/Audubon Photography Awards⁣
6️⃣ Milkweed (Asclepias sp.) 📷 Sydney Walsh/Audubon⁣
7️⃣ Savannah Sparrow 📷 Cathy Bennington/Audubon Photography Awards⁣

Audubon California

08/22/2026

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

08/15/2026

08/14/2026

08/13/2026

08/10/2026

08/07/2026

08/06/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request